Eamon Ryan is Minister for Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Transport – two key departments at the centre of Ireland’s climate transformation. He is leader of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glás in Ireland.
Since his re-election and appointment as Minister and Government leader he has led the enactment of Ireland’s Climate Act 2021 and two Climate Actions Plans. He is leading Ireland’s acceleration to renewable energy, with early indications that over 45% of electricity generated in Ireland in 2023 was renewable, reaching 62.1% in December 2023. He oversaw the country’s first off-shore wind auction in 2023, which will see projects produce enough homegrown electricity to power more than 2.5 million homes, with more auctions planned for this year.
In transport, Eamon introduced the first fare reduction for public transport in 75 years with a cut of 20% for adults and 50% for young adults under 26. He has also overseen a sea-change in public transport services and investment of a €1 million a day on walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure. In 2023, there were a record 308 million passenger journeys on public transport – an increase of 25%, with rural bus patronage up 78%.